Carl Sherman (Dem)City Manager

Biographical Information

EDUCATION: What changes, if any, should be made to public education and its funding in Texas?

RAINY DAY FUND: What uses are appropriate, in your opinion, for the Rainy Day fund?

LOCAL CONTROL: Are you in favor or opposed to additional restrictions on cities’ ability to raise property taxes? If in favor, how would you implement? Last session saw restrictions placed on cities’ ability to regulate fracking, gun sales, etc. Are you in favor of these restrictions and would you favor additional restrictions?

HIGHWAY FUNDS: How would you address the growing need for funding for highway maintenance and construction? What is your position on allowing tolled lanes to reduce congestion on crowded highways?

OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing in the next session of the Texas Legislature and what is your position on these issues?

More layers of government for the youth in foster care can impede and cause further interruption to their lives and coping mechanisms. The various process points which have failed some children in foster care, must be addressed. This is a complicated issue that impacts both current student families and future ones. Since 2010, the money to support public education has slowly decreased to directly to schools and property tax payers have borne the financial burden to ensure public education continues. There are no quick, easy answers, since this has been a long standing concern.
I am sensitive because I am a product of private & public education. I realize teacher credentials and daily demands are much more than teaching subject matter.

Rainy Day to keep the State of Texas day to day operations & services available to prevent State shut down.

More layers of government restrictions are not necessary unless City and County fee increases and becomes counter productive for residents to obtain what they need at a fair fee structure. The level of accountability can be minimized if the State removes oversight causing legalized harm/financial discontent and perhaps financial hardship with Texas residents. Use of automated technologically advanced systems can make decrease the wait time for State staff and Texas residents thereby improving constituent experience.

Creating new roads while providing maintenance and repair for existing highway infrastructure is important to individuals and businesses who rely on highways to move people, goods and services. It is my opinion, the legislature needs to consider allocating resources to areas in North Texas to reduce congestion, and improve infrastructure to the areas with highest concentration of users and areas that have not received repair or upgrades within the past 5 years.
I support adding limited toll, or “managed” lanes to NEW highway projects to expedite construction and make state highway funds go further. Toll lanes increase the region’s progress of new highways by making the tax payer pay once as a tax payer and secondly as a user of toll road.

Voter ID laws- there is more work to do to eliminate racial animus that taints the laws passed that govern Texas residents. I recommend streamlining the process and clearly communicate requirements with the population
Sanctuary bans/police check immigration- There are enough laws for police to enforce without adding immigration checks. Their expertise is in providing public safety. A civil society is what is to be maintained. Punishing local officials who do not cooperate with ALL requests is stiff punishment for the selfless act of serving, many without compensation. It is in the best interest to work together, if possible.
Bathroom Bill & DNA Exonerations

Every child, regardless of zip code, deserves access to a quality public K-12 education. The lack of public school education funding in Texas is an embarrassment. I support an equitable funding system that increases annually so that local school districts can afford systemic investments each year, like substantive pay increases for educators. In addition, there has to be a significant investment in early childhood education with a priority in fully funding full day Pre K programs. I will push for full restoration of the billion dollar cuts immediately. To pay for education investments, we must realign budget priorities and consider alterations to the business franchise tax advocated by moderate lawmakers during the last session.

Education and healthcare are appropriate uses for the Rainy Day Fund. The Texas economy is strong and fueled by a vibrant business environment and thriving energy industry. When tough times hit our economy, we must never waiver in our commitment to fully fund our public schools and to provide access to quality healthcare for all Texas families. Our Rainy Day Fund is strong and we must have confidence that the greatest State in the Nation with the hardest working people will be able to replenish that reserve fund in due time.

I am against. The Legislature must trust local government entities to set local policy. If a city or county raises taxes too high, then the voters should vote those officials out of office if unsatisfied. I do not think the State Legislature should dictate local tax policy in this manner. More unfunded mandates from Austin is the last thing our local municipalities need at this time. As a former Mayor and City Manager, I know first-hand how important it is to trust our local officials to do what’s best for their communities. I will take this experience with me to Austin if elected.

As a board member of North Texas Transportation Authority (NTTA), I have supported and advocated for a variety of infrastructure projects throughout North Texas. That said, working class families in Texas do not need any additional hits to their pocketbooks with another layer of excessive tolls and fees. Texans in the middle class need innovative solutions to meet their transportation needs, not more of the same. Additionally, we need a national infrastructure plan that comprehensively addresses transportation and that means partnering with competent, sane leaders in Washington who understand that a piecemeal approach is bad for our collective economy. As a former Mayor, I know firsthand how these decisions impact local communities.

Affordable, Quality Healthcare: Texas is the greatest State in the Union, and yet we have one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in America. That’s a shame! In Dallas County alone, we forfeit nearly $580 million per year because Republicans in Austin refuse to accept Medicaid expansion funds that belong to Texas taxpayers. This gridlock must end.
Smart Growth: As a State, we must learn to incentivize ‘smart growth’ in our communities, so that economic development benefits our citizens and leads to an improved quality of life. This means aiding our cities with the resources needed to ensure access to quality, affordable housing and safe neighborhoods. ‘Smart Growth’ also means tackling displacement and gentrification head on.

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